Second Shako II Practice Game

Hello There! In quick succession we have played another Napoleonic wargame using the Shako II rules. On this day we were joined by another player, Chris, who provided some more troops for the table who was also more familiar with the rules.

Here is the overall view of the game. The French on the right were attacking across the board, towards the British and Spanish allies on the right. The Allies were on a long hill which began just up from the bottom edge of the board and extended across the board just  below the northernmost road at the top of the photograph.

The Allies had a cavalry force of Light Dragoons to the south and Spanish Dragoons to the north. Here the cavalry to the south moved to engage the enemy cavalry so supporting the British infantry that were on the ridge.

The British on the hill formed square as a precaution against the advancing French cavalry, hoping the French cavalry would depart before their infantry arrived from across the board. 

The British on the ridge were also supported by a battery of foot artillery to deal with the approaching infantry formations. 

At the northern end of the table the British had a desperate fight to retain the small hill at the end of the ridgeline and were continually pushed back. Opposing cavalry engaged further to the north of the infantry position.

The position at the southern part of the ridge was cramped but the British light dragoons managed to move to the flank to engage the enemy.

To find enemy lancers facing them for battle.

In the centre of the table a small settlement was occupied by British infantry which came down off the high ground. 

A bigger perspective of the northern flank shows the approaching French and the British trying to flank them. 

On the southern end of the battlefield the French reached the British on the ridge but were repeatedly repulsed from the higher position.

Here is an eye level view of the battle on the northern flank.

The highlanders on the southern part of the ridge revert back to line as the French infantry approach and the enemy cavalry are no longer as much of a threat as the British light dragoons gallop past.

Here is a close up of the French chasseurs, (from my collection), who engaged the Spanish dragoons to the north.

Here are the British Light Dragoons from Chris' collection.

The French took the high ground to the north and advanced along the ridge.

The British made the mistake of advancing from the high ground to chase the attackers off to find themselves at a disadvantage and were punished badly for their error.

Finally the British took a high amount of casualties and had to withdraw, but not until they had inflicted many losses on the French.

The game gave us a useful opportunity to further learn the shako II rules and with Chris there to help and explain things to us it was very beneficial and enjoyable day.